Want to keep up with the latest news in commercial horticulture? Check back every Thursday for a quick recap of recent happenings in the green industry.

New Boxwood Blight Best Management Practices ReleasedA lot can change in five years, especially in terms of research. Back in 2012, the US nursery production world was still reeling from the discovery of boxwood blight the year prior. The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) quickly established a fund dedicated to boxwood blight research and a boxwood blight working group composed of industry leaders and National Plant Board (NPB) representatives. A best management practices document for nursery production was produced out of this collaboration. Subsequent research is still in progress, but enough new information exists to warrant a revision of the best management practices released back in 2012. AmericanHort and HRI, in conjunction with the NPB, are pleased to announce that the revised, updated Boxwood Blight Best Management Practices, version 2.0, is now available online. Two closely related fungi, Calonectria pseudonaviculata and C. henricotiae, can cause boxwood blight. Currently only one, C. pseudonaviculata, has a known presence in the US. This is a good thing. Both, however, are present in the EU; so, the threat remains for C. henricotiae to come to the US. Despite being the same genus (Calonectria), these two species have some key differences, such as different responses to temperatures and fungicides.

Retailers’ Choice AwardsTM at Farwest 2017Retailers’ Choice Awards at Farwest 2017 were presented to fourteen exhibiting firms for awards during a presentation on the Farwest Idea Stage. The Garden Center Group’s Danny Summers lead the retailer search. Products were selected specifically for garden retailers in search of the best new products both live goods and hard goods for their stores. The list is available online.

New Demonstration Center at 2018 WesternParticipants at the 2018 Western are invited to stop by the new demonstration center to join hands-on education sessions. The demonstration center will feature 30-minute sessions on products, plants and techniques important to the horticulture industry. In addition, participants can visit the tabletop displays set up by each participating company to ask questions and learn more about the plants or products featured in the demonstrations. The 2018 Western will be January 17, 18 & 19 in Kansas City, Missouri, and will focus on celebrating Plants with Purpose! This theme will highlight the economic, environmental, and quality of life benefits plants offer.

AmericanHort’s Production Technology COnferenceThe conference will be held Oct. 9-11 in Dallas, Texas. Registration is available here. The Production Technology Conference is an event for those who are interested in implementing new technologies to control input costs, reduce labor, improve crop quality and turn, and increase efficiencies. This 3-day conference focuses on providing information and connecting you with suppliers who can help you make the most cost-effective decisions.

Arborjet Launches New Mn-jet Fe™ Liquid Micronutrient SolutionArborjet Inc., a revolutionary plant health care company, announced Mn-jet Fe™, its new liquid micronutrient solution for trees, palms, shrubs and groundcovers. Mn-jet Fe™ alleviates interveinal chlorosis caused by micronutrient deficiencies. Interveinal chlorosis in plants is result of micronutrient deficiencies, specifically iron and manganese. The foliage on chlorotic trees turns a pale green to yellow hue while the veins remain dark green; necrosis and twig dieback occurs in severe cases. When left untreated, chlorotic trees decline over several years and become more susceptible to insects and disease. This is a common condition throughout the United States that affects a number of species including oak, sweetgum, birch, pine, maple, and azaleas. Chlorosis is especially prevalent in the west and midwest regions of the U.S. where soils tend to be alkaline.

Pesticide License CEUs Available at New England GROWSAt New England GROWS, attendees will learn from the top experts in a broad variety of fields and earn continuing education credit from organizations that include: the National Association of Landscape Professionals, the American Society of Landscape Architects, the International Society of Arboriculture, the Association of Professional Landscape Designers, the Northeast Organic Farming Association, the Snow and Ice Management Association as well as state and regional pesticide licensing boards. New England GROWS takes place on November 29 – December 1, 2017, at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Registration options start at $29.00 for all three days of the event.